Managing penitentiaries or detention centers inhabited by those whose freedom is cut down is not easy. Moreover, a number of problems, such as overcrowding, have not been resolved.
By
Kompas Editor
·3 minutes read
DOKUMENTASI KEMENKUMHAM
Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H Laoly saw the condition of Block C2 Class I prison, Tangerang, which caught fire on Wednesday (9/9/2021) early morning.
Condolences should be offered to the victims of a fire at the Class I Penitentiary in Tangerang, Banten. The case should be thoroughly investigated and the victims must receive the best treatment.
This has to be carried out because the fire occurred in a state-owned building, which should have been a place for its inmates to prepare themselves to be able to live again in society in a good and responsible manner.
While waiting for the investigation into the Tangerang Penitentiary fire and ensuring that the victims receive the best treatment, we can look back at similar incidents that have occurred in other prisons for various reasons. On 11 April, 2020, for example, a fire engulfed the Manado Class II Penitentiary in North Sulawesi. The incident was triggered by a riot that started because, among other things, an inmate was not allowed to mourn their dead parent. Meanwhile, a dispute between the wardens and a number of narcotics detainees led to the destruction and burning of a number of facilities at the Kabanjahe Class IIB Detention Center in Karo, North Sumatra, on 12 February 2020.
Previously, on July 11, 2013, the Class I Penitentiary at Tanjung Gusta, Medan, North Sumatra, was set on fire by inmates who were annoyed by a power outage that was causing the water supply to run out. A total of four people died in this incident.
In fact, the existing capacity is only for 135,561 people. That means there is an excess of 85 percent of occupants.
Managing penitentiaries or detention centers inhabited by those whose freedom is cut down is not easy. Moreover, a number of problems, such as overcrowding, have not been resolved. Based on data from Smslap.ditjenpas.go.id as of 8 September 2021, the number of inmates in prisons and detention centers in Indonesia reached 250,527 people. In fact, the existing capacity is only for 135,561 people. That means there is an excess of 85 percent of occupants.
Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan
Police stand guard at the entrance of the Class 1 Penitentiary in Tangerang, Banten, Wednesday (8/9/2021).
This excessive number of occupants triggers other problems, such as the inability to optimally fulfill basic services for prisoners or detainees and the unequal ratio of officers to inmates. This condition can trigger riots.
At the same time, other problems appear in the form of, among other things, the existence of “special rooms” for certain inmates and the existence of drug trafficking practices controlled from within the penitentiaries.
Efforts are also made to increase the number and welfare of officers of the penitentiaries and detention centers so that they can work optimally.
Efforts have been made to address problems in penitentiaries or detention centers. In order to overcome overcrowding, for example, this year, the government built three penitentiaries in Nusakambangan, Central Java. Alternatives for detention other than in detention centers have also been discussed, such as suspension of detention, city detention and house arrest. This is because some of the inmates of penitentiaries and detention centers have not yet received a court decision that has a permanent legal basis. Efforts are also made to increase the number and welfare of officers of the penitentiaries and detention centers so that they can work optimally.
ANTARA FOTO/HANDOUT
Debris from a fire at the Tangerang Penitentiary, Wednesday (8/9/2021).
Finally, the face of penitentiaries and detention centers is part of our face as a nation. The seriousness of dealing with the problems that occur in these places reflects our sincerity to continue to improve the quality of life together. Don\'t let this message from Tangerang Penitentiary fly away in the wind.
